Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-04-21

bread, and will talk with his mouth full
Both opine that children are naturally
slovenly-papa says "piggish," and tries
to shame the offender by hints of sites
and troughs. Mamma lays lire upon
line and precept upon precept to such
effect that the boy becomes really "prop-
er-mannered" by the time the family
take their next summer flight. In the
autumn the work has all to be done over
again. That Robby Is an initiative
animal counts for much in his parents
calculations, but not nearly enough
II am actually afraid Of my children
when 1 see how quickly they contract my
worst habits" said one mother. ssThe
good must be taught patiently. They
catch evil instinctively."
There is no mystery In the matter
That which is seemly passed without
comment. A strain is obtrusive. Robby
eats as he is taught to do when the
natural awkwardnegs of exchanging spoon
and bowl for knife, fork, and plate is
surrounded. Violations OF decent or
derliness catch his eye at once, even
when mamma is guilty Of what she has
forbidden in him. The spirit of juvenile
adventure does the rest. His table drill
should begin from the moment he is
allowed to feed himself. Give him his
own knife, fork, spoon, plate, and mug
and make the bib necessary part of the
equipment. When he is promoted to
seat at the family table do not make
him the most important member Of the
circle. Let him await his turn patiently =.
Discipline is as needful for the healthful
growth of character as love for the de-
velopment of the affection. By teachin G
your child to give place to his elders you
spare him many battle with his selfish
will III after years.
Insist that baby shalt eat slowly and
neatly. Health depends upon thorough
masticatieu; decency enjoins that he
shall not leave samples of his food on
cloth, garments, and face. Do not chide
or punish him for accidents when he has
tried to behave we'll, but forbid him to
play with his victuals and table furniture
He is no happier for being allowed to
mould his bread into marbles, or pound
the board with his fists and silver mug.
or rattle spoon and fork against plate
and cup. 1t is not essential for right en-
joyment and digestion of what he eats
that he should grease his hands to the
knuckles and besmear his cheeks back to
his ears and up to the eyes. Nor that he
should champ and suck chicken bones
after tearing asundsr the joints. By the
time he is 5 years old he ought to eat with
no more noise and as deco1Ously aa his
father does.
Chow strange that a young fellow who
is so gentlemanly in other things, should
lay his bread on the table, then butter it
back and forth, trowel- and mortar fash
MP said hOStaSS Tn puest
'His father does the same" was the
cogent reply.
DR.. johnson declared the famous line;
"Who rules free men should himself be
Free" TO be an idle play upon words.
GAS WE'LL" he said, say, ''Who drives fat
oxen should himself be fat"
There Is no discount on the sentiment,
"Who would have his children well-bred
must comport himself with propriety.''
Example goes so much further than pre-
cept, that the latter never, overtakes and
throttles it.
Having taught your boy to eat leisurely
and noiselessly, and rather as if the bust
ness were an incideut:in the history of
the day than an epoch, do not v1tiate the
effect of the course by boiling your break
fast by the square inch, and flushing
down the cubes with enormous draughts
of liquid. It is to your shame and his
hurt that you task only five minutes" for
the morning meal, and ''can dispose Of a
Intercourse dinner in ten minutes, upon
OCCASION" Your sons occasions are as
urgent in his eyes as are yours to you.
He would like to swallow soup, meat, and
pudding in five minutes and be off to the
play ground as much as you desire to keep
your business engagements. If you have
earned for yourself the lasting penalty
of an uneasy digestion, be merciful to
him.
No habits are uniearned with more
difficulty than table usages, and in none
is the influence of early education more
potent. The child who is allowed to
satisfy his appetite Ia the easiest and
swiftest mode, to sacrifice breeding to
the claims of hunger except when 'com-
pany" is present, will forget and at OPP
perfume times, when he is man, the
artificial polish gained in society. Often
er still, the polish does not "take" evenly
leaves the surface bare in spots. AS
with poor Rosamond's silver pape r, 1t is
not big enough to cover the whole basket.
When pulled hard on one side, it comes
up ON the other.
We meet every day at your table, and
at mine, the people who, feeding at home
twenty days in the month, do not know
how to dine in friends houses on the 9TH
er ten. We say this young man: ''He
had careful early training" or what,
ave must make allowance for the defc-
len cies of home-education.
Why not teach Our Baby how to eat
properly, as well as to sit, speak, and
walk well? Chas indecorum at table
with faults, rather than foibles. 1t is quite
as becoming to him to turn IN his toes as
to smack his lips in chewing; his little
world suffers less annoyance when he
sprawls on the parlor floor, kicking and
sereeching, than when he chokes down
his bread and butter, eats with his knife.
gnaws meat like dog, and ticks his fng-
ers afterWard.